Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps she is taking to ensure the commercial viability of (a) racecourses and (b) associated supply chains.

A major source of support for all 59 racecourses across the country and the wider related industry is the Horserace Betting Levy, which generated £105m in 2023/4. The levy sits alongside commercial deals between the betting and racing industries. Approximately 70% of levy funds is used for prize money and invested into racing’s eco-system supporting owners, trainers, jockeys and stable staff.

The Horseracing Betting Levy Board, which is tasked with the distribution of funds collected via the Levy, has also made funding available to support modernisation of weighing room facilities as part of a long-term programme of improvement works to future-proof facilities across all British racecourses, via a racecourse loan scheme.

In relation to any increase to the Horserace Betting Levy, the Government has written to both betting and racing industries to resume negotiations on a voluntary deal, focusing on areas where there has been previous agreement. One such area was on the merits of a potential fund to support reform and growth of the sport which would be beneficial for both industries. The Government supports the ongoing negotiations between racing and betting on a voluntary agreement as the quickest means of seeing additional funding flow into the sport.